Dozens hurt at house party as room over garage collapses

Emergency workers, Katy neighbors help at religious gathering

By Leah Binkovitz

Updated 10:44 am, Friday, June 27, 2014

Photo: Cody Duty, Staff

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About 150 people had gathered at the home on Park Mill Drive in Katy Thursday, where a room over the garage, rear, collapsed under the weight of 40 people, injuring at least three dozen. Emergency workers tended to scores at the scene. less

About 150 people had gathered at the home on Park Mill Drive in Katy Thursday, where a room over the garage, rear, collapsed under the weight of 40 people, injuring at least three dozen. Emergency workers ... more

Photo: Cody Duty, Staff

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Rescuers Thursday afternoon rushed to a residential area in west Harris County after a garage reportedly collapsed, sending dozens to the hospital.

Rescuers Thursday afternoon rushed to a residential area in west Harris County after a garage reportedly collapsed, sending dozens to the hospital.

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Rescuers Thursday afternoon rushed to a residential area in west Harris County after a garage reportedly collapsed, sending dozens to the hospital.

Rescuers Thursday afternoon rushed to a residential area in west Harris County after a garage reportedly collapsed, sending dozens to the hospital.

Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle

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Authorities respond to a scene after the second story of a garage collapsed in the middle of a party, Thursday, June 26, 2014, in Katy. Some 30 people were injured at the home on Park Mill Drive. Attendants at the party refused comment. less

Authorities respond to a scene after the second story of a garage collapsed in the middle of a party, Thursday, June 26, 2014, in Katy. Some 30 people were injured at the home on Park Mill Drive. Attendants at ... more

Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle

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Shoes are left at a scene after the second story of a garage collapsed in the middle of a party, Thursday, June 26, 2014, in Katy. Some 30 people were injured at the home on Park Mill Drive. Attendants at the party refused comment. less

Shoes are left at a scene after the second story of a garage collapsed in the middle of a party, Thursday, June 26, 2014, in Katy. Some 30 people were injured at the home on Park Mill Drive. Attendants at the ... more

Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle

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A man rests at a scene after the second story of a garage collapsed in the middle of a party, Thursday, June 26, 2014, in Katy. Some 30 people were injured at the home on Park Mill Drive. Attendants at the party refused comment. less

A man rests at a scene after the second story of a garage collapsed in the middle of a party, Thursday, June 26, 2014, in Katy. Some 30 people were injured at the home on Park Mill Drive. Attendants at the ... more

Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle

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Authorities load a woman into a Mass Casualty ambulance after the second story of a garage collapsed in the middle of a party, Thursday, June 26, 2014, in Katy. Some 30 people were injured at the home on Park Mill Drive. Attendants at the party refused comment. less

Authorities load a woman into a Mass Casualty ambulance after the second story of a garage collapsed in the middle of a party, Thursday, June 26, 2014, in Katy. Some 30 people were injured at the home on Park ... more

Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle

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A woman rests with an ice pack on her head after the second story of a garage collapsed in the middle of a party, Thursday, June 26, 2014, in Katy. Some 30 people were injured at the home on Park Mill Drive. Attendants at the party refused comment. less

A woman rests with an ice pack on her head after the second story of a garage collapsed in the middle of a party, Thursday, June 26, 2014, in Katy. Some 30 people were injured at the home on Park Mill Drive. ... more

Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle

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Authorities load a woman into a Mass Casualty ambulance after the second story of a garage collapsed in the middle of a party, Thursday, June 26, 2014, in Katy. Some 30 people were injured at the home on Park Mill Drive. Attendants at the party refused comment. less

Authorities load a woman into a Mass Casualty ambulance after the second story of a garage collapsed in the middle of a party, Thursday, June 26, 2014, in Katy. Some 30 people were injured at the home on Park ... more

Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle

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Authorities respond to a scene after the second story of a garage collapsed in the middle of a party, Thursday, June 26, 2014, in Katy. Some 30 people were injured at the home on Park Mill Drive. Attendants at the party refused comment. less

Authorities respond to a scene after the second story of a garage collapsed in the middle of a party, Thursday, June 26, 2014, in Katy. Some 30 people were injured at the home on Park Mill Drive. Attendants at ... more

Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle

Image 11 of 39

Authorities load a woman into a Mass Casualty ambulance after the second story of a garage collapsed in the middle of a party, Thursday, June 26, 2014, in Katy. Some 30 people were injured at the home on Park Mill Drive. Attendants at the party refused comment. less

Authorities load a woman into a Mass Casualty ambulance after the second story of a garage collapsed in the middle of a party, Thursday, June 26, 2014, in Katy. Some 30 people were injured at the home on Park ... more

Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle

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People carry a woman to a car after the second story of a garage collapsed in the middle of a party, Thursday, June 26, 2014, in Katy. Some 30 people were injured at the home on Park Mill Drive. Attendants at the party refused comment. less

People carry a woman to a car after the second story of a garage collapsed in the middle of a party, Thursday, June 26, 2014, in Katy. Some 30 people were injured at the home on Park Mill Drive. Attendants at ... more

Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle

Image 13 of 39

Authorities respond to a scene after the second story of a garage collapsed in the middle of a party, Thursday, June 26, 2014, in Katy. Some 30 people were injured at the home on Park Mill Drive. Attendants at the party refused comment. less

Authorities respond to a scene after the second story of a garage collapsed in the middle of a party, Thursday, June 26, 2014, in Katy. Some 30 people were injured at the home on Park Mill Drive. Attendants at ... more

Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle

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A woman rests with an ice pack on her head after the second story of a garage collapsed in the middle of a party, Thursday, June 26, 2014, in Katy. Some 30 people were injured at the home on Park Mill Drive. Attendants at the party refused comment. less

A woman rests with an ice pack on her head after the second story of a garage collapsed in the middle of a party, Thursday, June 26, 2014, in Katy. Some 30 people were injured at the home on Park Mill Drive. ... more

Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle

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Authorities respond to a scene after the second story of a garage collapsed in the middle of a party, Thursday, June 26, 2014, in Katy. Some 30 people were injured at the home on Park Mill Drive. Attendants at the party refused comment. less

Authorities respond to a scene after the second story of a garage collapsed in the middle of a party, Thursday, June 26, 2014, in Katy. Some 30 people were injured at the home on Park Mill Drive. Attendants at ... more

Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle

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Authorities load a woman into a Mass Casualty ambulance after the second story of a garage collapsed in the middle of a party, Thursday, June 26, 2014, in Katy. Some 30 people were injured at the home on Park Mill Drive. Attendants at the party refused comment. less

Authorities load a woman into a Mass Casualty ambulance after the second story of a garage collapsed in the middle of a party, Thursday, June 26, 2014, in Katy. Some 30 people were injured at the home on Park ... more

Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle

Image 17 of 39

People carry a woman to a car after the second story of a garage collapsed in the middle of a party, Thursday, June 26, 2014, in Katy. Some 30 people were injured at the home on Park Mill Drive. Attendants at the party refused comment. less

People carry a woman to a car after the second story of a garage collapsed in the middle of a party, Thursday, June 26, 2014, in Katy. Some 30 people were injured at the home on Park Mill Drive. Attendants at ... more

Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle

Image 18 of 39

Authorities respond to a scene after the second story of a garage collapsed in the middle of a party, Thursday, June 26, 2014, in Katy. Some 30 people were injured at the home on Park Mill Drive. Attendants at the party refused comment. less

Authorities respond to a scene after the second story of a garage collapsed in the middle of a party, Thursday, June 26, 2014, in Katy. Some 30 people were injured at the home on Park Mill Drive. Attendants at ... more

Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle

Image 19 of 39

Authorities respond to a scene after the second story of a garage collapsed in the middle of a party, Thursday, June 26, 2014, in Katy. Some 30 people were injured at the home on Park Mill Drive. Attendants at the party refused comment. less

Authorities respond to a scene after the second story of a garage collapsed in the middle of a party, Thursday, June 26, 2014, in Katy. Some 30 people were injured at the home on Park Mill Drive. Attendants at ... more

Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle

Image 20 of 39

Authorities respond to a scene after the second story of a garage collapsed in the middle of a party, Thursday, June 26, 2014, in Katy. Some 30 people were injured at the home on Park Mill Drive. Attendants at the party refused comment. less

Authorities respond to a scene after the second story of a garage collapsed in the middle of a party, Thursday, June 26, 2014, in Katy. Some 30 people were injured at the home on Park Mill Drive. Attendants at ... more

Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle

Image 21 of 39

A man rests at a scene after the second story of a garage collapsed in the middle of a party, Thursday, June 26, 2014, in Katy. Some 30 people were injured at the home on Park Mill Drive. Attendants at the party refused comment. less

A man rests at a scene after the second story of a garage collapsed in the middle of a party, Thursday, June 26, 2014, in Katy. Some 30 people were injured at the home on Park Mill Drive. Attendants at the ... more

Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle

Image 22 of 39

Authorities load a woman into a Mass Casualty ambulance after the second story of a garage collapsed in the middle of a party, Thursday, June 26, 2014, in Katy. Some 30 people were injured at the home on Park Mill Drive. Attendants at the party refused comment. less

Authorities load a woman into a Mass Casualty ambulance after the second story of a garage collapsed in the middle of a party, Thursday, June 26, 2014, in Katy. Some 30 people were injured at the home on Park ... more

Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle

Image 23 of 39

People carry a woman to a car after the second story of a garage collapsed in the middle of a party, Thursday, June 26, 2014, in Katy. Some 30 people were injured at the home on Park Mill Drive. Attendants at the party refused comment. less

People carry a woman to a car after the second story of a garage collapsed in the middle of a party, Thursday, June 26, 2014, in Katy. Some 30 people were injured at the home on Park Mill Drive. Attendants at ... more

Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle

Image 24 of 39

Rescuers Thursday afternoon rushed to a residential area in west Harris County after a garage reportedly collapsed, sending dozens to the hospital.

Rescuers Thursday afternoon rushed to a residential area in west Harris County after a garage reportedly collapsed, sending dozens to the hospital.

Image 25 of 39

Rescuers Thursday afternoon rushed to a residential area in west Harris County after a garage reportedly collapsed, sending dozens to the hospital.

Rescuers Thursday afternoon rushed to a residential area in west Harris County after a garage reportedly collapsed, sending dozens to the hospital.

Image 26 of 39

Rescuers Thursday afternoon rushed to a residential area in west Harris County after a garage reportedly collapsed, sending dozens to the hospital.

Rescuers Thursday afternoon rushed to a residential area in west Harris County after a garage reportedly collapsed, sending dozens to the hospital.

Image 27 of 39

Rescuers Thursday afternoon rushed to a residential area in west Harris County after a garage reportedly collapsed, sending dozens to the hospital.

Rescuers Thursday afternoon rushed to a residential area in west Harris County after a garage reportedly collapsed, sending dozens to the hospital.

Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle

Image 28 of 39

Rescuers Thursday afternoon rushed to a residential area in west Harris County after a garage reportedly collapsed, sending dozens to the hospital.

Rescuers Thursday afternoon rushed to a residential area in west Harris County after a garage reportedly collapsed, sending dozens to the hospital.

Image 29 of 39

Rescuers Thursday afternoon rushed to a residential area in west Harris County after a garage reportedly collapsed, sending dozens to the hospital.

Rescuers Thursday afternoon rushed to a residential area in west Harris County after a garage reportedly collapsed, sending dozens to the hospital.

Image 30 of 39

Rescuers Thursday afternoon rushed to a residential area in west Harris County after a garage reportedly collapsed, sending dozens to the hospital.

Rescuers Thursday afternoon rushed to a residential area in west Harris County after a garage reportedly collapsed, sending dozens to the hospital.

Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle

Image 31 of 39

Rescuers Thursday afternoon rushed to a residential area in west Harris County after a garage reportedly collapsed, sending dozens to the hospital.

Rescuers Thursday afternoon rushed to a residential area in west Harris County after a garage reportedly collapsed, sending dozens to the hospital.

Image 32 of 39

Rescuers Thursday afternoon rushed to a residential area in west Harris County after a garage reportedly collapsed, sending dozens to the hospital.

Rescuers Thursday afternoon rushed to a residential area in west Harris County after a garage reportedly collapsed, sending dozens to the hospital.

Image 33 of 39

Rescuers Thursday afternoon rushed to a residential area in west Harris
County after a garage reportedly collapsed, sending dozens to the
hospital.

Rescuers Thursday afternoon rushed to a residential area in west Harris
County after a garage reportedly collapsed, sending dozens to the
hospital.

Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle

Image 34 of 39

Rescuers Thursday afternoon rushed to a residential area in west Harris County after a garage reportedly collapsed, sending dozens to the hospital.

Rescuers Thursday afternoon rushed to a residential area in west Harris County after a garage reportedly collapsed, sending dozens to the hospital.

Image 35 of 39

Rescuers Thursday afternoon rushed to a residential area in west Harris County after a garage reportedly collapsed, sending dozens to the hospital.

Rescuers Thursday afternoon rushed to a residential area in west Harris County after a garage reportedly collapsed, sending dozens to the hospital.

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Emergency workers load a woman into a mass casualty ambulance after the collapse at a home in Katy on Thursday.

Emergency workers load a woman into a mass casualty ambulance after the collapse at a home in Katy on Thursday.

Photo: Cody Duty, Staff

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Shoes are left at a scene after the second story of a garage collapsed in the middle of a party Thursday.

Shoes are left at a scene after the second story of a garage collapsed in the middle of a party Thursday.

Photo: Cody Duty, Staff

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About 150 people had gathered at the home on Park Mill Drive in Katy Thursday, where a room over the garage, at rear, collapsed under the weight of 40 people, injuring at least three dozen. Emergency workers tended to scores at the scene. less

About 150 people had gathered at the home on Park Mill Drive in Katy Thursday, where a room over the garage, at rear, collapsed under the weight of 40 people, injuring at least three dozen. Emergency workers ... more

Photo: Cody Duty, Staff

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Dozens hurt at house party as room over garage collapses

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Three dozen people were injured Thursday when the second story of a garage collapsed at a Katy home where a crowd had gathered for a religious ceremony, officials and neighbors said.

As many as 150 people gathered for the festivities at the home on Park Mill Drive, just west of George Bush Park, when a room above the garage collapsed about 1:30 p.m., officials with the West I-10 Fire Department said.

About 40 people were in a 600-square-foot room above the garage when the floor collapsed, said Tim Thomas, public information officer for the fire department.

"Those structures are typically not built for that many people," Thomas said. "It was like a game room, with some nice wood floor in there and altar."

Neighbors and attendants gathered on the sidewalks as 15 ambulances treated the injuries. The Houston Fire Department brought its mass casualty evacuation ambulance, designed to transport up to nine people on stretchers.

HPD senior Capt. Ruy Lozano described the inside of the garage structure as "pancaked."

"The floor gave way," he said. "It looked like it bowed."

Of the three dozen taken to hospitals, three were considered urgent, Thomas said. Most had cuts and abrasions.

All in good condition

Twenty-seven were taken to Memorial Hermann, hospital officials said. All but two were later released. Their conditions were not available.

People at the party refused to comment.

Neighbors Jill and Blake Allred said they rushed from their home a block over when they heard ambulances shortly after 1 p.m.